The popular Avs forward is expected to test the NHL’s free agent market July 1, unless the team makes a much better offer than it made to him Thursday. With the Avs having salary cap problems for next season as it is, that does not appear to be likely.

NHL sources said the Avs offered Laperriere, 35, a one-year contract at less than the $1.15 million he made last season, an offer that was quickly rejected.

“Ian is a reliable player who has brought dependability, leadership and results on the ice for Colorado. I would hope they would see that and want him back, but if not, July 1st is right around the corner and other teams will be interested in him,” said Laperriere’s agent, Pat Brisson.

Avalanche vice president Jean Martineau said: “We made him an offer, and we’ll see where it goes from there.”

Laperriere was sought by several teams at the NHL trade deadline in March, but negotiations with Brisson and Avs management were ongoing, and the team decided to keep him. The first contract talks of the offseason resumed Thursday, and the results were not at all what Laperriere and Brisson had hoped. Sources said he received a two-year offer at a slight decline in his per- year salary at the time, but that was rejected. Only one year was the offer this time.

Laperriere declined to comment, but has said his first hope was to return to the Avs. Laperriere has played four seasons with Colorado, scoring 40 goals in 307 games. He regularly was among the league’s top fighters and, among forwards, in blocked shots. He has a reputation for being a locker-room leader and a sound fundamental player.

But the Avs have 14 players signed for next season at nearly $44 million, and the NHL’s salary cap is expected to decline slightly from its current $56.7 million.

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